Passports

Passport applications are available at City Hall or can be downloaded off the Internet (travel.state.gov). Customers must apply in person with identification and necessary documents.

Routine passport processing takes up to six weeks and requires attachment of your certified birth certificate.

U.S. Passport Book or Card? A book is valid for travel to all international destinations via air, land, and sea. A card is valid for re-entryat land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry when returning to the U.S. from Mexico, Canada, Caribbean, and Bermuda. Travelers should research entry requirements of the country they plan to visit.

Driving through Canada? Those wishing to take advantage of fast-clearance lanes should carry passports. Children under the age of 16 are not required to carry them as long as they have proof of citizenship (birth certificates) and are traveling with a parent who is a U.S. citizen. Proper ID and a notarized letter of consent from an absent parent are also necessary. Show proof of name changes if different from what is on a child’s birth certificate. Entry into Canada is solely determined by the Canada Border Services Agency(204-983-3500) in accordance with Canadian law. Entry into the United States is determined by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection(907-774-2252), not the Department of State Passport Agency.

Expedited Service – Applications are sent via priority mail for faster turnaround (2-3 weeks). Another option is to make an appointment to appear at the Regional Passport Agency in Seattle. Business hours for appointments are 8:00–1:00, Monday through Friday. Make appointment before making flight arrangements, allowing time for the stopover in Seattle. The National Passport Information Center (1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 TDD/TYY) is an automated phone system, available 24/7.

For more information call City Hall (895-4656), your local Passport Acceptance Facility.